Why did so many bedford Virginia soldiers die on D Day?

Answer 1

They were all members of the same unit that landed on Omaha Beach at Normandy on June 6, 1944.

They were part of the 29th Infantry Division, which was a National Guard unit from Virginia & Maryland. That division was one of the two divisions that landed at Omaha Beach. That particular beach was the most heavily defended beach section during the invasion. The other division was the 1st Infantry Division, which was a regular army division with soldiers from all over the United States.

While both divisions suffered heavy casualties at Omaha Beach: the soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division that were killed, were from various parts of the US. The soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division killed were all from Virginia & Maryland. Furthermore the regiments, battalions & companies would have high concentrations of soldiers from the same specific town or area of Virginia or Maryland.

This is the same situation for all National Guard units in WW2 and present day. Soldiers are from the same geographic areas and the same US state.